17 January 2008 11:00
My friend owns a 30-year-old gelding who is unfit and only exercised once a week. He loves hacking, but can no longer jump and hates schooling. He can’t do anything too strenuous, but is there anything we could do to get him fitter?
Answer
By Your Horse
Instructor Alison Ritchie says…
With veteran horses you need to remember that, as with humans, the mind may be willing but the body can’t always keep up. At the age of 30, your friend’s horse probably dislikes schooling because the stress and strain on his limbs is too great. Gentle hacking will be the best exercise for him. It’s better to stick to short, steady rides three or four times a week, rather than one long ride every so often. He’ll tell you if he’s happy with his workload, so be guided by how he feels to ride. Plenty of turnout will also help his joints stay mobile.